Edinburgh City Stay

Arrive in Edinburgh. Short panoramic sightseeing tour of Scotland’s capital city, including the famous sights of the Royal Mile, Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle. Check in for 3 nights at your hotel located in central Edinburgh.  Free time in the evening.

Full day sightseeing in Edinburgh. Starting at Edinburgh Castle, which sits in a prominent defensive position on a volcanic rock and dominates the city, providing amazing views in all directions. The Castle is the home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the famous Stone of Destiny, the ancient crowning seat of the Scottish monarchs. Close to the castle is the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, where you can enjoy a whisky-barrel ride during which the secret of production of single malt whisky will be revealed. Afterwards enjoy a walk along the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral the historic city church of Edinburgh, with its famed crown spire and Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland’s chivalric company of knights headed by the Queen). Continue further down the Royal Mile to the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse, closely associated with Scotland’s turbulent past, including the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived there between 1561 and 1567. Successive kings and queens made the Palace of Holyroodhouse the premier royal residence in Scotland. Now it is still the official residence of the Royal Family when in Scotland. See the Scottish Parliament building with its renowned exterior facade. Other highlights include the memorial to Sir Walter Scott, majestic Princes’ Street and the elegant squares and streets of the neo-classical Georgian “New Town” with their top class shopping.   Overnight Edinburgh.

A morning visit to the National Museum of Scotland – two iconic buildings, one amazing museum. The collections in the landmark building of the Museum of Scotland tell the story of Scotland, its land, people and culture. The Royal Museum building, with its magnificent glass ceiling, houses international collections with subjects ranging from nature to art, culture and science.   Follow on with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia which for over 40 years served as the Queen’s floating palace hosting royalty and heads of state. Free afternoon for shopping.

You may wish to include or extend your stay to add some of these superb excursions from your base in Edinburgh:

• Half day tour to Stirling Castle – one of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, commanding the countryside for many miles around.  It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland, including Stirling Bridge, the site of “Braveheart” William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297.
• Half day tour to Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery to see the production process of lowland single malt whisky, including lunch and whisky tasting.
• Full day tour to St Andrew’s, the ‘Home of Golf’ for lovers of the game. Sample programme includes a 90 minute golf ‘clinic’ (for beginners) with the professionals at the Practice Centre, St Andrews, lunch in the clubhouse, an 18-hole round of golf accompanied by the professionals (golf clubs supplied), and a St Andrew’s Golf Academy Diploma for all participants.

We can arrange memorable evening dinners and entertainment – here are just a selection of ideas:

• The Witchery Tour – a unique and entertaining ‘Ghost and Gore’ walking tour in the city – do not be surprised by the things you hear and the ghostly apparitions you see this evening ! Visit the scenes of horrendous tortures, punishments and executions common in days gone by.
• A Gala Dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
• Jamie’s Scottish Evening – a 3-course banquet served piping hot to tables together with Jamie’s finest red and white wine served in unlimited quantities during the meal. Clients are entertained by vivid Scottish dancers, musicians and the show doesn’t finish without allowing everyone present to try a ‘wee’ piece of the traditional Haggis, Neaps and Tatties.